Sukkot

Sukkot traces its roots to the many agricultural ceremonies enacted by the ancient Hebrews, becoming a festival of thanks for a bountiful fall harvest and one of three “pilgrimage festivals” during which a portion of the first fruits were brought to the Temple in Jerusalem.

Sukkot was transformed by the Torah into a festival that celebrates and commemorates the protection afforded the Israelites throughout their wanderings in the wilderness.

The major symbol of Sukkot is the sukkah, from the Hebrew word for “hut” or “booth.” Temple Emanu-El brings the spirit of Sukkot indoors with the creation of our beautiful 30 foot-tall sukkah.

Other symbols of the festival include the lulav (consisting of two willow branches, a single palm branch and three myrtle branches) and the etrog (Hebrew for “citron”), a fruit similar in color and shape to a lemon. The lulav and etrog are used together in a prayer ritual for Sukkot.